Contacting apparatus



Dec. 6', 1949 F. L. MELVILL CONTACTING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1944 -13,30 Jaz 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 6, 1949 F. L..Mr-:LvlLL 2,490,080

CONTAGTING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvENTORFien/vens /Zfv/LL ATTORNE Y Dec. 6, 1949 F. L. MEQ/ILL 2,490,080

CONTACTING APPARATUS A Filed May 19, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 W5 fO A fr",52 x V/ N ZY/ mvENToR /QAA/c/J L .NELL/ILL ATTORN EY Dec. 6, 1949 FiledMay 19,'*1944 F. L. MELVILL CONTACTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR FRANC/5 L MEI. V/LL ATTORNEY rammed Dec. s, 1949 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ooN'rAc'rmG Arrm'rus Francis ummm, New York, N. r.

Application May 19, 1944, sub1 No. 536,303

14 claims. (c1. 2in-11o)l This invention relates to devices fordistributing and dispersing liquid to the packing of a contact tower orchamber. Although the invention has a wide range of utility, it isparticularly useful in connection with countercurrent gas and liquidcontact flow devices, such as those employed for the absorbing, cooling,drying, cleansing, and humidifying of gases. for the evapora.- ting,cooling and heating of liquids, for effecting catalytic actions, and forother reaction purposes. Such devices may, for example, takethe form -offractionating towers, scrubbers, cooling towers, and the like, in whichit is desirable to effect substantially equal initial distribution o!the liquid, to the packing.

The invention provides a novelapparatus for distributing liquid to thepacking of a contact tower, by which the liquid is dispersed anddistributed to the packing in a plurality of relatively long, narrowfilm-like streams. The liquid is delivered to the top of thedistributing apparatus by any conventional means and is divided by thedistributor into streams which initially may be unequal, but by theprocess of division and merging of the streams, they are madesubstantially equal for delivery to the packing disposed below thedistributor.

The packing preferably is of a definite predetermined configuration, andis designed to spread and disperse the streams delivered from thedistributing device evenly and in regular predetermined manner as theydescend in the treating chamber, so that substantially even distributionof the liquid throughout the flow area of the contacting chamber isafforded.

The invention will be understood from the following description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a. partthereof, and in which:

` l1ig..l is a fragmentary vertical section, somewhat diagrammatic, of aportion of a processing tower taken along line I-i of Fig. 2, and showstherein a formof initial liquid distributor embodying the structuralfeatures of the present invention;

Fig. `2 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section. somewhat diagrammatic, of aportion of the processing tower, taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of a wire gauze layerforming part of the liquid distributor;

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section taken 0n line 5--5 of Fig. l:

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of one form of packing which maybe employed in connection with the distributor of the present invention;

Fig. '1 is a section of the packing taken on line 1-1 of Fis. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section, somewhat diagrammatic, of aportion of a processing tower, and shows therein another form of initialliquid distributor embodying Athe invention;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of the distributor of Fig. 8, takenapproximately along line 9 0 thereof, and showing one form of wire gauzelayer;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of the distributor of Fig. 8, similar tothat of Fig. 9, but showing another form of wire gauze layer; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of liquid carrier elements which may beconnected to the distributor of Fig. 8, to subdivide each of the streamsdischarged from the distributor into a series of smaller streams.

Like characters oi' reference refer to the same or to similar partsthroughout the several views.

. 26. Referring to Figs. 1 to '7 of the drawings, the

liquid and gas countercurrent contacting device shown, comprises avertical cylindrical column or tower I0 containing a packing Il. The gasto be contacted is delivered to the lower portion of the tower l0 belowthe packing Il, and fiows generally upwardly through the packing, whilethe liquid is fed to the upper portion of the tower above the packing,and ows generally downwardly through the packing and in intimate contactwith the ascending gas, in a manner to be described. The liquid isdelivered to the packing I l as a series of predetermined spaced thin orfine streams by a distributor I2 embodying features of the presentinvention which will be more fully described hereinafter. The packing ilis shown occupying the central portion of the tower i0, while thediametrically opposite side chordal sections I3 of the tower are leftvacant or unpacked. A pair of partition plates Il, Fig. 2, on thestraight chordal sides respectively of the packing Il, prevent flow intoor out of the packing through these sides. The unpacked spaces I3 of thetower i0 may be sealed either at the bottom or the top in any mannerwell-known in the art. to prevent by-nass flow through these spaces. Theclearance between the arcuate peripheral portions on the packing Il andthe corresponding wall of the tower I0 may be sealed by any suitablemeans, such as glass wool I5.

The packing il may be of any suitable or desired form. However, thedistributors herein disclosed. are particularly well adapted for usewith a packing of a type comprising a series of liquid carriers arrangedin accordance with a predetermined recurrent pattern to cause uniformdistribution and intermixing of the liquid throughout the flow area ofthe tower I0, while allowing free circulation of the ascending gas inintimate contact with the liquid. For that purpose, the packing IIadvantageously comprises a series of slender elements arranged inaccordance with a'predetermined repeat pattern and in a manner to causethe liquid to flow downwardly as a series of thin streams ofsubstantially equal dimensional and-motional characteristics. Thesestreams merge at predetermined mixing zones, and then subdivide intopredetermined ne similar streams. The packing II of the general typereferred to may, for example, be similar to that described and claimedin any one of my copending applications Serial No. 521,049, now U. S.Patent No. 2,405,593, granted August 13, 1946; Serial No.

528,541, now U. S. Patent No. 2,424,248, grantedv July 22, 1947; SerialNo. 528,542; Serial No. 529,246, now U. S. Patent No. 2,405,594 grantedAugust 13, 1946, and Serial No. 531,589, but for purposes ofillustration, is shown of the type described and claimed in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 528,542, led March 29, 1944, abandoned as ofNov. 15, 1947.

The packing I I selected for illustration, comprises a series of flatvertical sheets I6 disposed in face to face contact, and regularlyformed with a plurality of latticed perforations I1 defining meshopenings. The sheets I6 of metal, plastic, or other suitable material,are formed in the manner of an expanded metal lath by providing in asheet blank a series of regularly arranged, closely adjoining, parallelslits, set in parallel rows with the slits in each row in longitudinalalignment, and with the slits of adjoining rows staggered, preferablysimultaneously expanding the blanks to spread the slits intodiamond-shaped openings I'I, and rolling the sheets after cutting andexpanding. The sections I 8 of the sheet I6 which intervene between theslits and which enclose the expanded mesh openings I1, are in the formof slender elements, and extend obliquely at equal inclinations with thevertical. These elements I8 are identical in cross-sectional size,length, shape and finish, and their substantially horizontally extendingsurfaces are of such material as to be substantially wetted by theliquid under normal operating conditions. The opposite faces of thesheets I6 are at, so that effective face contact between adjoiningsheets may be obtained. The sheets I6 are identical, except for widths,and are arranged vertically in face to face contact to form thecomposite packing II. The sheets I6 are desirably relatively displacedvertically, so that the mesh openings I 'I of one sheet are out ofhorizontal registry with the mesh openings of adjoining sheets. In thespecific form shown, the mesh openings I1 of alternate sheets I6 are inhorizontal registry, and the mesh openings of intervening sheets arealso in horizontal registry but are medially staggered with respect tothe mesh openings of the alternate sheets. In this honeycombarrangement, the junction zones 20 in one sheet I6 will be centrallydisposed with respect to the mesh openings II of adjoining sheets, sothat each of the mesh openings I1 in one sheet will be divided by theadjoining sheets into four equal spaces 22 through which the gas passesin its general ascension.

With this arrangement, a portion of a stream flowing from a liquidmixing zone 20 along an element I8 in one sheet I6 merges at anintersection zone 24 with a similar portion of the stream flowing fromanother liquid mixing zone along an element I8 of an-adjoining sheet. Inthis manner, the liquid in one sheet I6 is not only distributed andmixed substantially uniformly throughout the width of said sheet, but isalso distributed and mixed with the liquid of adjoining sheets.Substantially uniform distribution and mixing of the liquid throughoutthe entire horizontal iiow section of the packing II thereby is assured.

The distributor I2 of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, is adapted tosubdivide and deliver the feed liquid to the packing Il as a pluralityof relatively long, narrow, lm-like streams which are easily andeffectively intermixed and distributed by the packing II. The liquidpreferably is delivered-to the top of the distributor I2 by aconventional feed device 30. This feed device may, for example, comprisea series of parallel nozzles 3I fed by a header 32, and provided withdischarge openings in the lower portions thereof. The distributor I2mixes and subdivides the liquid regularly and uniformly into a number ofdefinite predetermined streams of predetermined dimensionalcharacteristics for delivery to the packing II. The specic form ofdistributor I2 shown in Figs. 1 to '7, comprises a column of superposedsheets or layers of material such as wire cloth or gauze, having aregular rectangular mesh. All the wire or thread elements of the sheets35 are equally spaced, extend at equal angles to each other, and areidentical in thickness, material and finish. Furthermore, each set ofwires or threads comprising the mesh are equally offset in making theweave. The number of meshes to the inch in the sheets will vary with theservice, but in no case should the mesh openings be unduly large, asthis will allow unrestricted flow of liquid downwards. Preferably suchopenings should not be more than of the total area and may beappreciably less.

Each gauze layer 35 is corrugated to form alternate V-shaped ridges 36and furrows or depressions 31 at equally spaced intervals, thesuccessive sections 38 on the sides of these alternate configurationsextending obliquely at equal inclinations with the vertical and at anangle which will assure downward ow of the liquid at the desired rate.In the specific form shown, these inclined gauze sections 38 extendapproximately at an angle of 45 with the horizontal. The size of thecorrugations 36 and 31 depend on the size of the unit, the viscosity andother characteristics of the liquid, and the nature of the processingoperation to be carried out. In the speciflc form shown, the horizontaldistance between the successive crests 40 of adjoining ridges 36 may beabout two inches. The layers 35 are disposed in the column with theircrests in the same horizontal plane and with the bottoms of theirdepressions in the same horizontal plane.

In order to prevent channeling of the liquid TU horizontally orvertically along the cross Wires or thread elements of the gauze sheets35, all of these Wires or elements desirably extend at the same anglewith respect to a vertical plane at right angles to the crests l0 asshown in Fig. 7i 4, channeling of the liquid along these 8 wire elementswill therefore be in such oblique directions as tov assure thoroughintermixing of the liquid at the intersecting regions, and subdivisionof the liquid as it flows away from these regions.

The gauze layersv 35 are arranged in horizontal tiers with alternatelayers reversed with respect to intervening layers, so that the apicalbottoms of the depressions or furrows 31 of an upper layer rest directlyon the apical crests 40 of the ridges 36 of the next lower layers.Superposed layers 35 may be secured together against relativelyliorizontal movement in any suitable manner, as for example by spotwelding these layers together at appropriate points on the abuttingapics; The liquid discharged by the feed device 30 on the top layer 35of the distributor I2 is directed to the valleys or depressions 31 ofthis layer, and iiows towards the bottom of these depressions. The twoliquid filmiform streams iiowing along any pair of downwardly convergingoblique layer s ections 36, merge at the bottom intersecting region fthese sections. The merged liquid streams at this region, pass to the-crest 40 of the ridge 36 of the next lower layer 35, becomesubstantially equally subdivided between the in clined sections 33 ofthe layer diverging downwardly from the crest, and ow therealong towardsthe next liquid mixing zones. The substantially even split of the liquidreaching each crest 40 has the effect of distributing it substantiallyequally to the two oblique layer sections 38 diverging downwardly fromthe crest, Vand the equal inclination of the wire elements in theselayer sections has the effect of assisting in the substantial uniformdistribution of the liquid in each of the sections in directionsparallel to the crest. The operation of mixing, subdividing andredistributing the liquid films is repeated regularly in accordance witha predetermined pattern, as these films flow downwardly through thedistributor I2. The number of gauze layers 35 required to eifect thenecessary equalization of iiow is dependent upon the nature of theliquid and the extent to which the liquid at the top has beendistributed and subdivided by the conventional feed device 30 before theliquid has been discharged onto the distributor I2.

The column of gauze layers 35 is supported on a horizontal tray 45 ofsuitable material, which is provided with a seriesof equally spacedelongated slots 46 of predetermined equal width. These slots 46 extendparallel to the corrugations 36 and 31 of the gauze layers 35, anddefine regions where the liquid is collected for further subdivision anddistribution before being discharged onto the packing II as willhereinafter be de-. scribed more fully. The corrugations 36 and 31I inthe gauze layers 35 are so horizontally positioned with respect yto thelongitudinal center lines of the slots 46 that each center line isvertically below a vertical row of contact lines defined between theabutting ridges 36 and depressi/.ons 31 of adiacent gauze layers 35. Asshown, the spacing between these tray slots 46 is such that the bottomgauze layer 35 has every other ridge 36 disposed centrally over arespective slot, and the intervening ridges are disposed centrallybetween adjacent slots, but other spacings may be employed so long ascrests of ridges are in vertical alignment with the slots at regularintervals thereof; This connotes a distance between slots which is anexact multiple of the distance between crests. Midway between adja-centslots 46 are equally spaced ribs 41 which extend parallel to the slots,and project upwardly from the upper side o1' the tray 45. These ribs 41provide dams to avoid mixing oi' the liquid streams reaching thesections of the tray 45 on either side of the ribs. The tray 45desirably comprises a series of separate oblong intermediate sections 48and separate oblong sections 49, 50 and5l at each end. all of thesesections being disposed in the same horizontal plane and being separatedby gaps to denne the slots 46. These tray sections are held in positionby any suitable means, as for example suspension rods- 52, fastened attheir lower ends to these sections and anchored at their upper ends tothe roof of the tower I0. The composite outline of the tray 45corresponds to that of the gauze layers 35, and depends on theconfiguration of the packing Il below. In the specific form shown. sincethe packing I I has a cross-section bounded on two opposite sides by thecircular tower wall, and on the other two sides by the chordal partitionplates I4, the gauze layer stack has a horizontal elongatedcross-section extending centrally over the packing II with itslongitudinal sides substantially parallel to the straight chordal sidesof the packing. The width of the stack of gauze layers 35 between itsmain central longitudinal sides is less than but directly proportionalto the width of the packing I I between its chordal sides, and inspecific form shown. is one-half that of the packing.

At the ends of the stack of gauze layers 35 near the circular wall ofthe tower I0, they are stepped horizontally as shown in Fig. 2, toeffect proportionate distribution of the liquid to the sections of thepacking I I beyond the partition plates I4 according to the varyingwidths of the packing at` these sections, as will be described morefully hereinafter. The intermediate tray sections 4`6 extend the fullcorresponding width of the gauze layers 35, while the end tray sections49, 50 and 5I are stepped at their sides to conform with the steppedconfiguration of the gauze layers 35.

The liquid delivered to any one slot 46 will be substantially evenlydistributed therealong. To maintain and improve this distributionbetween the liquid collection regions at the tray slots' 46 and theregions where the liquid is discharged onto the packing I I, there isprovided one or more liquid carriers 55 depending from each of thesecollection regions. In the specific form of the invention shown in Figs.1 to 7, there are provided four of these carriers 55 depending from eachof the slots 46, and regularly arranged in accordance with apredetermined pattern to define regular predetermined external flowpaths along which the liquid is adapted to ilow downwardly in deiiniteexposed filmiform streams of substantially equal thicknesses. Each ofthe liquid carriers 55 is desirably in the form of a sheet made of gauzematerial, such as that employed in the layers 35, with the componentwires or elements of these sheets forming an equal angle with thevertical, as shown in Fig. 3, to prevent horizontal and verticalchanneling of the liquid and to assist in the uniform distribution ofthe liquid across the full width of the sheets. In Fig. 3,/the angle atwhich the wires or elements extend to the vertical, is shown asapproximately 45.

- The gauze sheets 55 are suspended from the tray 45, and are supportedfrom the slots 46, desirably by extending the upper sections of thesesheets through the slots and turning the upper edges 51 of these sheetshorizontally as shown, so that these outturned edges rest on the tray45. These outturned edges 51 also serve to convey by surface action theliquid deposited on the trays 45 towards the depending sections of thesheets, and to spread the liquid before it reaches the dependingsections. The four gauze sheets 55 in each group are arranged with uppervertical sections 60 in face to face contact. From the lower ends fthese contacting sections 60, the sheets 55 of each group branch intotwopairs. The two branch pairs have their upper sections 6I divergingdownwardly at equal inclinations, the two sheets 55 of each pair alongthese sections 6I being inface to face contact. Below these inclinedsections 6I, the two sheets 55 of each pair have vertical sections 62 inface to face contact, and from the lower ends of these vertical sections62, the two sheets of each pair spread out divergingly downwardly alongsections 63 at' equal inclinations. The lower sheet sections 64 extendvertically downwardly from the lower ends of the inclined sheet sections63. These lower Vertical sections 64 are equally spaced `apart adistance corresponding to the distance between adjoining groups ofsheets 55, so that all of the sheets of the distributor I2 will beequally spaced. The sections 60, 6I and 62 of each gauze sheet 55 arerectangular in outline and of the same width. The inclined section 63flares downwardly to merge with the rectangular vertical bottom section64 which is coextensive in width with the width of the packing I Idirectly below it. The sides of these`inclined sheet sections 63 fiaredownwardly at an angle which will permit the liquid descendingdownwardly therealong to distribute itself uniformly to the sides. Thisinclination of the sides of the sheet sections 63 depends on theviscosity of the liquid being treated and in a specific case may be withthe horizontal. A

The liquid is deposited by the column of gauze layers 35 on each sectionof the tray 45 between a pair of adjoining ribs 41 as two equal streamson opposite sides of the slot 46 between the ribs. These two liquidstreams are merged and collected at this slot 46, and are picked up bythe group of four gauze sheets at this slot. Due to surface effects, theliquid will tend to spread, equalize and distribute itself equally amongthe four sheets of a group, assuming that these sheets have the samesize and shape, as isthe oase with the intermediate group. In the endgroups where the sheets of each group vary in sizey and shape, theliquid distribution will be proportional to the width of the sheets 55,as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Due to the verticality of the contacting sheet sections 60, and theoblique inclination of the wire elements with respect to the verticalplane, the liquid as it iiows downwardly along the sections distributesitself equally among the four sheets 55 of the group. At the bottom ofthe vertical sections 63, the liquid will divide itself into two streamsof equal cross-sectional size and shape. Each of these streams will flowover the surfaces of the two branch sheets 55 along their inclinedsections 6I, and then along the vertical sections 62 before beingsubdivided along the inclined' sections 63. The flow of the liquid overthe two contacting sheets 55 of -each pair along the sections 6I and 52causes equalized divisions and distribution of the liquid between thetwo contacting sheets 55 before the liquid starts to flow along thediverging branches 63. The liquid is discharged from each of thevertical end sheet- II between the partition plates I4 will be the xsame.

It should bel noted that before the liquid is divided at any branchregion, the sections of the sheets 55 directed downwardly towards theregion extend vertically. For example, the liquid is branched oil' alongthe inclined sheet sections 6I after travelling along the vertical sheetsections 60, and is further subdivided and branched off along theinclined sheet sections 63 after travelling along the vertical sheetsection 62. The purpose of providing these vertical flow sections 60 and62 preliminary to the branching of the liquid is to assure equalizeddivision of the liquid at the branch points.

The lengths of the tray slots 46 are such, that the volume of liquiddelivered to each slot is proportional to the average width of thedischarge ends of the four sheets 5-5 along which the liquid streamsareadapted to be delivered to the packing I I from each slot. Thus, for thegauze sheets 55 directly above the portion of the packing II between thepartition plates I4, the width of the slots 46 from which these sheetsdepend is one-half the width ofthe packing II between these plates. Thegauze sheets 55 disposed outwardly of the partition plates I4, vary inlength according to the chordal width of the sections of the packing IIdirectly below the sheets, and the end slots 46 from which these sheetsdepend are equal in length to one-half the average lengths of thedischarge ends of the four sheets 55 suspended from each of the slots.To effect this proportional relationship between the length of the slots46, and the widths of the lower discharge ends of the correspondinggauze sheets 55, the end tray sections 49 and 50 are stepped along theirsides. The tray section 49, for eX- ample, hrs an inner portion of awidth coextensive with the width of the intermediate tray sections 48,in order that the slot 46 separating the stepped tray section from theadjoining intermediate tray section 41 will be of maximum width. Thisdimensional relationship is desirable, since the lower discharge ends ofthe four gauze sheets 55 extending from this slot .46 are al1 of thesame width and are coextensive with the width of the packing II betweenthe partition plates I4. The next stepped tray section 56 has itsradially inner portion coextensive in width with the width of thereduced radially outer portion of the tray section 49, and theseportions are so dimensioned that the slo-t 46 intervening between theseportions has a length which is proportional to the average length of thelower discharge ends of the four gauze sheets 55 depending therefrom. Asillustrated, the slot 46 just referred to is half the average length ofthe lower ends of the sheets 55 depending therefrom. The last traysection '5I is also proportioned according to the width of the lowerdischarge ends of the four gauze sheets 55 depending from the end slot46 separating the tray section 5I from the adjoining tray section 5U.This end tray section 5I has a rib 65 along its outer side to preventthe liquid deposited on the tray section from spilling over the outeredge thereof.

The horizontal outline of the gauze layers 35 conforms with the entirehorizontal outline of the tray 45 including its stepped sections 49 and50. The liquid deposited on the section of the tray I between any twoadjoining ribs 41 by the gauze layers 35 will be proportioned to thelength of the slot 48 between the ribs. The liquid reaching each slot I6will be distributed equally between the four corresponding gauze sheets55 at their upper ends. The liquid will tend to distribute itselfequally across each sheet 55 as it ilows downwardly, and the liquiddischarged from the lower end of each sheet will be proportional to thewidth of said latter sheet at its lower end,` and the width of thesection of the packing Il directly below it. Where sheets 55 ofdifferent discharge widths are supported from one of the reduced endslots, these sheets at their upper ends will be the same width to fillup the slot space, but then are reduced according to the width of theirlower discharge end, as shown in Fig. 5. Due to surface effects, theliquid will tend to distribute itself across the surface of the fourAsheets 55 of a group according to the areas of the sheets, so that eachsheet will receive substantially an amount of liquid which isproportionate to the width of its lower discharge end. The volume ofliquid discharged per unit of sheet width 55 therefore will besubstantially uniform for all the sheets 55 of the distributor I2.

With the form of packing shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the lower dischargeends of the sheets 55 desirably extend downwardly into the troughsformed at the upper ends of the packing, so that they are close to thebottoms of these troughs, as shown in these figures of the drawings.This arrangement has the desirable eiect of delivering the liquid in theform of curtain streams of uniform cross-sectional unit volume topredetermined equally spaced sections of the packing Il withoutsplashing the liquid as it is deposited on the packing. This relativearrangement of the gauze sheets 55 with respect to the packing alsoserves to position and maintain the sheets accurately against swaying.The liquid discharged from the distributor gauze sheets -55 as a seriesof ne curtain streams of predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes,is further distributed by the packing Il in a uniform manner inaccordance with a predetermined repeat pattern as already described, tocause equalized mixing and distribution of the liquid throughout theflow area of the tower I0 and to effect intimate contact between theascending gas and the descending liquid. The liquid discharged on thepacking ll in the manner described will be distributed evenly anduniformly throughout the cross-sectional area of the packing near thetop thereof, so that the overall effectiveness of the packing isincreased.

The shape and arrangement of the distributor l2 with respect to thepacking I l is such as to permit the free passage of the gas upwardlyfrom the top of the packing through the spaces between the sheets 55,out through the sides of these sheets and upwardly along thelongitudinal sides of the gauze layers 35.

Figs. 8 and 9 show another form of distributor which, as far as certainaspects of the invention are concerned, may be used in connection with apacking of the general type shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but which is shownin connection with a packing Ila of the general type disclosed in theStedman U. S. Patent 2,047,444, granted July 14,

1936, and Bragg U. S. Patent 2,290,162, granted the Pyramids in each rowbeing staggered with respectto those in adjacent rows. These gauzesheets have gas passages in the form of apertures which are arranged inrows, with the passages in each row being staggered with respect tothose in adjacent rows and with the aperture located intermediatepyramids in adjacent rows. With this arrangement, the liquid streamsdelivered to the top of the packing Ha are repeatedly subdivided andrecombined as they ilow downwardly through the packing, and the liquidis distributed substantially uniformly throughout the flow area of thepacking. The tower lila for receiving such a packing lla may, forexample, be cylindrical in shape and may be provided with chordalsegments 69 hexagonally arranged as shown in Fig. 9, to enclose snuglythe packing in hexagonal prismatic form.

The distributor I2a in the form shown in Fiss. 8 and 9, comprises acolumn of superposed horizontal sheets or layers 10 made of capillarymaterial, such as wire gauze, having mesh openings small enough to allowthe liquid deposited thereon to ow freely in all directions over thesurface thereof. For that purpose, the mesh of the layers 10 is-desirably greater than l0 to the linear inch. The feed liquid may bedelivered to the top of the distributor I2a in scattered form by aconventional feed device similar to that described in connection withthe construction of Figs. 1 to '1.

Each gauze layer 10 is regularly shaped as will be described, and isformed with holes 1l accommodating similar vertical wires, rods or othersuch slender elements 12, which are of suitable size to carry liquidstreams therealong, and which are supported by any suitable means, suchas suspension rods 14. The number of the holes 1| and consequently of`the rods 12 will be determined by the number of streams of liquid inwhich it is desired to divide the main bulk of the liquid. These rods 12will be of uniform cross-sectional -size and shape and will be equallyspaced. The

section of the gauze sheet 10 around each hole 1| is stamped or embossedwith a regulartapering depression 13 having the hole as its apicalcenter. The inclination of the walls of these depressions 13 is such asto tend to drain the liquid towards the rods 12 or away from themaccording to whether the depressions are directed upwardlyiordownwardly. The depths of the stampings 13 will be a factor indetermining the capacity of the distributor I2a. The taperingdepressions 13 may be of any suitable geometric shape as long as theyare all the same, and extend with their vertex axes vertical. Thehorizontal outline of the column of gauze sheets 10 may be hexagonal asshown, to conform with the packing lla, or may be of any other regularshape, such as circular or triangular.

The sheets 10 of gauze or capillary material made as described, are'assembled by mounting them on the rods 12 so that `the embossed orstamped depressions A13 of successive sheets project in oppositedirectionsalternately upwardly and downwardly. By means of thisarrangement, a portion of the liquid in passing from an upper gauzelayer 10 to the next lower one flows along the inclined walls of thedownwardly facing depressions 13 in the upper layer obliquely downwardlyand outwardly from therods 12, and returns to the rods on the lowerlayer along the inclined walls of its upwardly facing depressions 13.The streams iiowing away from the rods 12 mix with similar streams fromadjacent rods, and

' leading downwardly away from the zones.

then return to the rods. A portion of the liquid nows along the rods 12between the vertices or tips of the depressions 13. encompassing theserods. At the vertex zones, the liquid streams of definite volumes fromthe inclined depression walls and the rods 12 are merged and intermixed.The liquid from these mixing zones is then subdivided and vdistributedbetween the inclined depression walls and the sections of the rodsTgimethod of distribution of the liquid tends t equalize the flow of liquidthroughout the distributor Iza so that where the rods 12 pass throughthe lower gauze layer 10, each rod carries substantially the same volumeof liquid as each of the other rods. The liquid is collected at thelower ends of the rods as a series of streams of equal volume, and thesestreams are discharged onto the packing Ila at equally spacedpredetermined sections'thereof. The position of these discharged streamsrelative to the elements of the packing Ila depends on the nature of thepacking. Although the rods 12 are shown of cylindrical shape, they maybe of any suitable surface configuration. For example, the liquidcarrying capacity of these rods 12 may be increased by the use of someform of extended surface, such as is afforded by fluting the rods, byapplying some design on the surfaces thereof, or by making up the rodsfrom smaller strands of wire twisted or wound in any well-known manner.D

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the depressions 13are of right conical shape. In the form of the invention shown in Fig.10, the depressions 13b in the gauze layers 10b of the distributor I2bare of right pyramidal shape, and are shown specifically in the form ofright hexagonal pyramids. In all other respects, the construction andoperation of the distributor l2b is similar to that described inconnection with the distributor I2a in the construction of Figs. 8 and9. From each of the collection regions 15, the liquid stream may befurther subdivided into a number of equal smaller streams symmetricallyarranged. In the specific form shown in Fig. 11, further uniformsubdivision of each rod stream is effected by a series of tributary wireor rod liquid carriers 80 grouped symmetrically about the lower end ofeach main flow rod 12, and formed with upper vertical sections 8Iarranged around and in contact with the rod end, and lower verticalfinger discharge sections 82 offset radially outwardly from their uppersections by inclined sections 83. Groups of these liquid carrier rods 80are secured to each main rod 12 in any suitable manner. as for exampleby welding their upper sections al to the rod 12.

'I'he number of supplementary liquid carrier rods 8D secured to eachmain rod 12 depends on the spacing of the rods 12. In the specific formshown, six of these supplementary rods 8l) are shown arranged 60 apartaround each main rod 12. These supplementary rods 80 are of equal sizeand shape, and although they are shown of circular cross-section withplain peripheral surfaces, these may be of any other design to pro--vide extended surfaces affording corresponding increases in liquidcarrying capacity, as previously described in connection with the designof the main ow rods 12. The lower discharge ends 82 of the supplementaryrods l! are substantially equally spaced over the packing lla, and eachwill carry the same amount of liquid 12 to the packing at spacedpredetermined sections thereof. To prevent the dripping of the liquidfrom the lower ends of the main rods 12, these lower rod ends desirablyextend above the inclined sections 83' of the supplementary rods 80. Toaid further in preventing dripping of the liquid from the main rods 12,the lower ends of these rods are provided with curved recessesrespectively'. If the supplementary arrangement shown in Fig. l1 isprovided, .the main rods 12 will be spaced above the packing Ilaadistance necessary to receive the supplementary flow rods as described.This distance will be greater than that shown in Fig. 8 in connectionwith a construction having no such supplementary rods.

Since many changes can be made in the apparatus disclosed herein, andmany apparently widely different embodiments of this invention can bemade without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising a seriesof gauze members having mesh openings small enough to allow the freeflow of the liquid throughout the surfaces of said members, and arrangedin accordance with a predetermined pattern to disperse the liquidsubstantially uniformly, tray means for collecting the liquid at spacedpredetermined regions as a series of streams of substantiallypredetermined cross-sectional1 sizes and shapes, and a series of liquidcarriers depending from and in communication with said tray means, thecarriers being disposed in spaced substantiallyv vertical planes andregularly arranged in accordance with a predetermined pattern, saidcarriers defining regular predetermined external flow paths along whichthe liquid is adapted to flow downwardly in definite exposed streams ofsubstantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes towards thepacking.

2. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising a columnof superposed layers of capilliary material for effecting substantiallyuniform dispersion of the liquid, each layer having a series ofalternate turns defining alternate peaks and bases, the peaks of onelayer being in substantial vertical alignment with the bases of theadjoining layers above and below it, tray means for collecting theliquid at spaced predetermined regions as a series of streams ofsubstantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes, and aseries of liquid carriers depending from and in communication with saidtray means, the carriers being disposed in spaced substantially verticalplanes and regularly arranged in accordance with a predeterminedpattern, said carriers defining regular predetermined external ow pathsalong which the liquid is adapted to flow downwardly in definite exposedstreams of substantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapestowards the packing.

3. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising a columnof superposed layers of capillary material for effecting substantiallyuniform dispersion of the liquid, each layer being corrugated to formalternate channels, the layers being arranged in alternate reverserelationship so that the crests of the channels in a lower layer areopposite and adjacent to the respective bases of the channels of anupper adjoining layer.' a series of horizontal trays `extendingalongside of each other below said column and adapted to collect theliquid dispersed by said column, the trays being separated bylongitudi-l nal spaces through which the collected liquid is adapted toflow in the form of curtain streams,

and a series of liquid carriers depending from said spaces and regularlyarranged in accordance with a predetermined pattern, said carriers de-`ilning regular predetermined external flow paths along which the liquidis adapted to now downwardly in definite exposed streams ofsubstantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes towards thepacking.

4. A liquid distributing device for. a packed tower comprising a columnof superposed layers of capillary material for enecting substantiallyuniform dispersion of the liquid, each layer being corrugated to formalternate channels, the layers lbeing arranged in alternate reverserelationship so that the crests of the channels in a lower layer areopposite and adjacent to the respective bases oi' the channels of anupper adjoining layer, a. series of horizontal trays extending alongsideof each other below said columns and adapted to collect the liquiddispersed by said column, said trays being separated by narrow spacesthrough which the collected liquid is adapted to flow in the form ofcurtain streams, and a group of capillary sheets depending from each ofsaid spaces, and spaced at their lower ends from each other and from thesheets of adjoining groups by substantially equal distances, said sheetsdefining external flow' paths along which the liquid is adapted to flowdownwardly in definite exposed curtain streamlets of substantiallypredetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes towards the packing. A

5. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising a columnof superposed capillary gauze layers for eiecting substantially uniformdistribution of the liquid, each layer being corrugated to formalternate channels, the layers being arranged in alternate reverserelationship, so that the crests of the channels in an upper layer areopposite and adjacent to the respective A .bases of the channels of alower adjoining layer,

a series of horizontal tray sections extending alongside of each otherbelow said column, and adapted to collect the liquid dispersed by saidcolumn, each of said tray sections having a dam extending medially andlongitudinally from the i upper surface thereof, said tray sectionsbeing separated by longitudinal spaces through which the collectedliquid is adapted to flow in the form of curtain streams, and a group ofcapillary gauze sheets depending from each of said spaces and oiset attheir lower sections to interspace said sheets from each other and fromthe sheets of adjoining groups by substantially equal distances, saidsheets defining external ow paths along which the liquid is adapted toflow downwardly in definite exposed curtain streams of substantiallyequal cross-sectional unit volume towards the packing.

6. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means foruniformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed andcollecting the subdivisions at spaced predetermined regions as a seriesof streams of substantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes andshapes, and an evennumber of capillary sheets depending from each ofsaid collecting regions, said sheets having upper vertical sections inface to face contact, and having equally inclined branch sectionsdiverging downwardly from said spaced, said sheets defining regularpredetermined flow paths along which the liquid is adapted to flowdownwardly as definiteexposed curtain streams of equal unit volume.

7. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means foruniformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed andcollecting the subdivisions at spaced predetermined regions as a seriesof streams of substantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes andshapes, and an even number of gauze sheets depending from each of saidcollecting regions, said sheets having one or more vertical sections inface to face contact, and one or more equally inclined branch sectionsdiverging downwardly from said vertical sections and dividing saidsheets equally into adjoining sets of equal number of sheets, the lowerdischarge sections of said sheets being equally spaced, said sheetsdefining regular predetermined iiow paths along which the liquid isadapted to flow downwardly as definite exposed curtain streams of equalunit volume.

8. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means foruniformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed andcollecting the subdivisions at spaced predetermined regions as a seriesofl streams of substantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes andshapes, and four gauze sheets depending from each of said collectingregions, said sheets having upper vertical sections in face to facecontact, equally inclined branch sections diverging downwardly from saidvertical sections and dividing said sheets equally into two adjoiningsets, each consisting of two sheets in face to face contact, verticalsections extending downwardly from said inclined branch sections, andequally inclined branch sections diverging downwardly from saidlastmentioned vertical sections and separating all of said sheets byequal distances, said sheets defining regular predetermined flow pathsalong which the liquid isadapted to flow downwardly as definite exposedcurtain streams of equal unit volume.

9. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising a columnof substantially horizontally extending layers of capillary material,each layer defining a series of oblique surfaces converging anddiverging downwardly in pairs to effect substantially uniform dispersionof the liquid, fluid collecting means disposed below the column andadapted to collect the liquid dispersed by said column, said collectingmeans having a plurality of spaced eongated outlet slots, and liquidcarrying means depending from said outlet slots and defining regularpredetermined external flow paths along which the liquid flowsdownwardly from said fluid collecting means as definite exposed streamsof substantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes.

10. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means forunformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed, tray meansdisposed below said first-mentioned means and adapted to collect theliquid dispersed thereby, and a plurality of capillary sheets dependingfrom and in communication with the tray means. said sheets having uppervertical sections in face to face contact, and having substantiallyequally inclined branch sections diverging downwardly from said uppervertical sections and dividing 15 said sheetsinto two sets, thelowerdischarge sections of said sheets being spaced from one another, saidsheets defining regular predetermined flow paths along which the liquidis adapted to flow downwardly as definite exposed curtain streams ofsubstantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes.

1l. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means foruniformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed, fluidcollecting means disposed below said first-mentioned means and adaptedto collect the liquid dispersed thereby,rsaid collecting means having aplurality of spaced elongated outlet slots, and a plurality of capillarysheets depending from and in communication with said slots, said sheetshaving upper vertical sections in face to face contact, and havingsubstantially equally inclined branch sections diverging downwardly fromsaid upper vertical sections and dividing said sheets into two sets, thelower discharging sections of said sheets and liquid carrying meansdepending from said outlet slots and defining regular predeterminedbeing spaced from one another, said sheets deflning regularpredetermined flow p-aths yalong which the liquid is adapted to flowdownwardly Yas definite exposed curtain streams of substantiallypredetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes.

12. A liquid distributing device for a packed tower comprising means foruniformly dispersing, merging and subdividing a liquid feed, tray meansdisposed below said first-mentioned means and adapted to collect theliquid dispersed thereby, and aplurality of capillary sheets dependingfrom and in communcation with the tray means, said sheets having uppervertical sections in face to face contact, and having substantiallyequally inclined branch sections diverging downwardly from said uppervertical sections and dividing said sheets into two sets, the lowerdischarge sections of said sheets being spaced from one another, saidsheets defining regular predetermined flow paths along which the liquidis adapted to flow downwardly as definite exposed curtain streams ofsubstantially predetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes, the widthsof the discharge ends of the sheets corresponding substantially tothewidths of the upper sections of the packing directly below thesheets.

13. A liquid distributing device for a packed YYtower comprising acolumn with a plurality of substantially horizontally extendingsuperposed layers of capillary material, each layer having a series ofalternate peaks and bases, the peaks of one layer being in substantiallyvertical alignment with the bases of the adjoining layers above andbelow it, fluid collecting means disposed below the column and adaptedto collect the liquid dispersed by said column, said collecting meanshaving a plurality of spaced elongated outlet slots, said layersgofcapillary material and said fluid collecting means being so disposed inrelationship to one another that a peak of the layer of capillarymaterial nearest said collecting means is in vertical alignment with aslot in the collecting means and the basesA adjoining saidlast-mentioned peak are in vertical alignment with said collectingmeans,

external flow paths along which the liquid flows downwardly from saidfluid collecting means as definite exposed streams of substantiallypredetermined cross-sectional sizes and shapes.

14. In combination with a packed tower having liquid dispensing means inthe upper part thereof to introduce liquid thereinto, packing below saiddispensing means comprising a fabric of slender packing elements ofpredetermined shape ar,- ranged in accordance with a predeterminedpattern to form a network provided with a plurality of verticallyextending zig-zag sections having uniform alternate turns, and definingregular predetermined flow paths along which the liquid is adapted toflow in definite streams respectively, these sections being joined atequally spaced intervals to define mixing zones where the latter streamsmerge and then subdivide as they descend, and distributing means for theliquid from the dispensing means comprising a column of substantiallyhorizontally extending superposed layers of capillary material in thetower disposed adjacent the liquid dispensing means to receive liquiddirectly therefrom, said column being in spaced relationship with thepacking, each layer of the capillary material defining a series ofoblique surfaces converging and diverging downwardly in pairs to effectsubstantially uniform dispersion of the liquid, and a series of liquidcarriers depending from said layers and regularly arranged in accordancewith a predetermined pattern, the carriers defining regularpredetermined external fiow paths along which the liquid is adapted toflow downwardly in definite exposed streams towards the packing toeffect uniform mixing and distribution of the liquid throughout the flowarea of the packing.

FRANCIS L. MELVILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthispatent: s

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 375,121 Chappell Dec. 20, 18871,032,657 Briggs July 16, 1912 1,113,643 Jonas Oct. 13, 1914 2,042,127Sayles May 26, 1936 2,047,444 Stedman July 14, 1936 2,143,877 Harte, JrJan. 17, 1939 2,198,305 Crawford Apr. 23, 1940 2,290,162 Bragg July 21,1942 2,369,913 Palkn et a1 Feb. 20, 1945 2,376,341 Burk et al May 22,1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 23,546 Great Britain Oct. 25,1907 427,087 Great Britain Apr. 16, 1935 149,496 France June l0, 1882321,768 Germany June 14, 1920 l Certiicate of Correction Patent No.2,490,080 December 6, 1949 FRANCIS L. MELVILL 1t is hereby certied thaterror appears in thep'rinted specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: I

Column 3, lines 52 and 53, strike' out the Words substantiallyhorizontally eX- tendng yfzolumn 9, line 14, for slots read slots 46;

and that the `said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, sothat the same may confornltto the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of October, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'asz'oner of Patents.

